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In the northwest corner of the North Carolina Mountains, sits the quaint little town of West Jefferson. Rapidly becoming known for its downtown make-over and renovation, West Jefferson has grown into a thriving community. The renovation has uncovered the artistic side of the town. Galleries and shops, for they areas many artist and craftsman, have sprung up in abundance, alongside coffee shops. Local musical events can be attended almost any day of the week.
The area is also recognized for it's location near the New River, the world´s second oldest river, and one of the few rivers that flow north. A multitude of activities can be found in and around the New River. From kayaking and fishing to rubber ducky races, the New River has seen it all.
Activities, Festivals, & Culture
West Jefferson is a lively community with creative individuals. The downtown area has many murals drawn by resident artisans that create a "walking tour" of the region's history and distinctive character. The streets of downtown West Jefferson are also lined with a number of unique stores, craft and woodworking shops, and small art galleries for all to enjoy. Located in the center of the town is North Carolina´s only cheese production facility. Tourists from all over frequent the facility to view the cheese making process, and purchase their favorite types of cheese.
West Jefferson is a place where tradition is thriving and where a variety of technical and artistic skills are passed from one generation to the next. The local harvest is enjoyed at the budding West Jefferson Farmer's Market by locals and visitors alike. Located on the Backstreet in West Jefferson, the market provides opportunities for local farmers and crafters to sell their produce, plants and flowers, arts and crafts, homemade treats, and more to the public. Ashe County is also home to several new wineries, like the New River Winery, Thistle Meadow Winery, and Chateau Laurinda.
West Jefferson's biggest event each year is the Christmas in July Festival, which is held annually on 4th of July weekend. Celebrating it's 23rd year, the festival caters to thousands of local residents and visitors with music, downtown shops, arts and crafts vendors and foods of all kinds. The conclusion of the festival is the July 4th fireworks at Ashe Park in neighboring Jefferson. Ashe County even has something for the performing arts fan too. The Ashe County Civic Center is home to a variety of theatrical performances, concerts, dances, and community events. Such events include an annual Holiday Parade which has been an ongoing community tradition every November since the Second World War, with local entries providing the excitement.
There is also an enormous selection of nearby activities to enjoy as well. The historic Todd General Store is located just 20 minutes outside of West Jefferson and is home to some of the greatest bluegrass around. Legendary bluegrass artists, such as Doc Watson, are known to frequent the store and play their songs for the public from the front porch. A mere 45 minutes away, Damascus, Virginia is home to a multitude of activities. Known to be one of the nation's finest bike trails, there are over a thousand rental bicycles, kayaks, and the Virginia Creeper Trail, known to be one of the nation's finest bike trails.
Merlefest, in neighboring Wilkesboro, NC, is a three day Woodstock like concert feature local and national bluegrass and country musicians. It is annually the first weekend in April and has drawn many major recording artists, such as Alison Krauss and Nickle Creek.
Events (of Ashe County)
* Christmas in July Festival & Fireworks (4th of July weekend)
* West Jefferson Gallery Crawl ( 2nd Friday of month- April thru October)
* Holiday Parade (every November)
* Fiddler's Convention (early August)
* TreeFest- Christmas tree decorating festival (held annually Nov.23rd- Dec. 30th)
Economy, Climate, & Schools (of Ashe County)
Always known as a manufacturing and agriculture economy, the composition of Ashe County is going through brisk changes. Today, the local industry is lead by the electronics and automotive industries which includes American Emergency Vehicles (AEV), Gates Corp., Leviton Manufacturing Company., and United Chemi-Con.
Agriculture continues to be a vital industry, with a large portion of income coming from the thriving Christmas tree industry that boasts over 9 1/2 million trees, making Ashe County the largest producer in North Carolina and second nationally.
The tourism industry has doubled in the past decade. While the Blue Ridge Parkway and New River are major tourist attractions, the restorations of Jefferson and nearby downtowns have drawn a steady stream of visitors to the area. A direct result of this tourism increase has been a rise in the second home market and growth of the financial and insurance market. The town has also thrived due to the substantial growth of the areas surrounding Ashe County.
Ashe County enjoys four diverse seasons, all with appealing climates. Winters in the area are normally mild with an average temperature of 35-45 degrees and with a suitable amount of snow. Summer temperatures are also relatively mild with hottest temperatures in the upper 80´s and averages of only 68.
The Ashe County school system consists of five schools (3 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school). All of Ashe County's schools have a tradition of excelling in academics, student activities, and athletics.
Proudly, all of the schools have been honored as high performing schools with two identified as Honor Schools of Excellence. In addition, a wide variety of athletic programs are offered and thriving. Along with an award-winning high school band program, Ashe county claims one of the highest totals of National Board Certified Teachers in the state with 38.
Ashe County is home to a branch of Wilkes Community College (WCC), which offers a variety of vocational, technical, and college transfer programs. Additionally, Appalachian State University, home of the 2005, 2006, & 2007 FCS National Football Champions, is a 45 minute drive from Ashe County.
West Jefferson Real Estate
West Jefferson real estate first began to be developed in the early 1900´s around the Virginia-Carolina Railroad depot. The railroad allowed for the transportation of a variety of natural resources, and brought in an equally impressive number of employment opportunities.
In recent years, West Jefferson has matured from a mostly rural area to a booming community with lots of amenities, making it an ideal place to live, relocate, and raise a family. However, West Jefferson remains small enough to offer residents and visitors plenty of peace and serenity.
Today, due to its proximity to the New River and the Blue Ridge Mountains, residents of West Jefferson are able to enjoy hiking, biking, hunting, swimming, fishing, skiing, and boating. This makes West Jefferson an ideal place to live, filled with friendly artistic people who go out of their way to help their neighbors. With it's beautiful landscape settings and gorgeous long range views, real estate in West Jefferson is like no other!
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